By Melissa Li, Board of Directors Vice-Chair

Who can forget the most controversial Facebook post in the history of Vegan Outreach? You know, the one where our Executive Director Jack Norris responds to a dairy lover’s plaintive cry, “I’d go vegan, but I can’t give up cheese!” by saying, “Then go vegan except for cheese!” The meme was a rousing call for the vegan police to come out in droves and storm Vegan Outreach’s social media with comments.

I recently read Dr. Neal Barnard’s latest book, The Cheese Trap, and I think it’s fair to say that most people probably wouldn’t have a hard time giving up cheese if they knew some of the disturbing things Barnard tells his readers.

For example, did you know that stinky cheese is due to bacteria? The same bacteria responsible for body odor! Yes, you read that right. Barnard explains why humans have been able to overcome the smell of body odor and why many people crave it on virtually everything.

I also learned that people who are unable to give up cheese are not wholly personally responsible. Cheese contains a substance called casomorphin, an opioid peptide naturally occurring in cow’s milk. It’s the hormone that’s responsible for calves feeling comforted and attached to their mothers so they’ll ingest as much milk possible to become a full-grown cow. Cheese has a high concentrate of casomorphins and can generate a feeling of euphoria, which is why people like cheese so much.

The Cheese Trap covers not only the negative physical effects of dairy and cheese, but also how the U.S. government colludes with the dairy industry to influence the American public to consume more cheese for the benefit of the dairy corporations. The USDA often ignores or suppresses the health consequences of a high amount of dairy consumption. The dairy industry has consumers believing that milk does the body good when it’s the opposite that’s true. It’s been associated with diabetes, prostate cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease—just to name a few.

Barnard interviews the pioneers behind vegan dairy foods, such as Treeline Treenut Cheese, Miyoko’s Kitchen, and Kite Hill. The great thing is that these non-dairy cheeses are out-of-this-world delicious, and no animals are hurt during production! Better yet, these products are becoming more common in grocery stores nationwide.

The book also provides easy, non-dairy cheese recipes, created by Dreena Burton, that can help any cheese lover reduce or eliminate their dairy cheese consumption. Dreena explains how dishes that conventionally use dairy can be made instead with a variety of nut milks or nutritional yeast.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to cheese—and its inherent cruelty—forever, get yourself a copy of The Cheese Trap. You’ll be happy you did!

By Lori Stultz, Communications Manager

If you’re packing your bags for a summer getaway and worried about how you’re going to maintain vegan eating while you’re away from home, look no further.

Kim Sujovolsky with Brownble has put together a comprehensive video that will alleviate your concerns. She provides easy food ideas for when you’re driving, riding, or flying, and she also gives good tips on what to do once you’ve reached your travel destination.

By Josie Moody, Office Manager

I recently had my 20-week ultrasound and got to see my little bun-in-the-oven’s eyes and nose. I already feel a strong emotional connection with them—and it’s made our work at Vegan Outreach that much more important to me.

The bond between mother and child is incredible—and not just for humans. I’m sure you’ve seen a mother goose bravely defend her goslings. And did you know a female octopus will protect her eggs for about 160 days—only to die shortly after they hatch?

The bond between mother and child is powerful and impressive. But sadly, when it comes to animals raised for food, this bond is not honored—often it’s not even permitted.

A cow in the dairy industry is separated from her newborn calf shortly after he’s born. Often, she cries out for him for days and vice versa. Sometimes she tries in distress to find him—and she mourns her loss when she can’t.

What we do to cows and other animals breaks my heart. Now, as someone who’s expecting my own baby, I find it even more harrowing.

I do my part to reduce suffering by working for Vegan Outreach, volunteering for animals on the weekends, and donating what I can to make more outreach and education happen. Violence towards animals is overwhelming, but I feel better when I do something I know makes an impact.

Will you join me today by giving a gift that will make twice the impact for animals?

Other donors have pledged to double your gift—for every dollar you donate, they will match it with a dollar of their own!

Your donations have built a movement of vegans and activists who stand up against violence towards animals. But our work is far from over.

We need to do more, and we can’t without you.

I wish that no mother—of any species—had to endure the torment of being separated from her young. With your financial support today, we can create a vegan world sooner so fewer animals will suffer. Give now to have your donation doubled.

By Taylor Radig, Campaigns Manager

Vegan Outreach is proudly working with Doormét in Tampa, FL to launch their newest menu addition—dairy-free cheese! The cafe is known for its wide range of sandwiches, salads, pasta, and pizza, so expanding their cheese offerings to include a vegan option was an easy addition.

Tampa locals can enjoy a vegan pizza with Daiya cheese melted on top of their regular or gluten-free crust—both are vegan—with red sauce and endless combinations of fresh herbs and vegetables.

Want to support our efforts in veganizing restaurant menus? Make a small donation today!